Career Development Opportunities
NEVBD is dedicated to helping you advance your career and loves to share career development opportunities provided by our network and partners. Explore the current opportunities:
Public / Private Sector Opportunities
POSITION: Research Scientist 2, New Jersey Department of Health
DESCRIPTION: The Vector-borne Disease Unit is seeking a Research Scientist 2/Vector-borne Disease Epidemiologist/Entomologist to design and implement surveillance, research, and public health response activities associated with vector-borne disease pathogens and for tick vectors of public health concern. Responsible for analyzing vector-borne disease data (human, vector, animal), and producing weekly surveillance reports used by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Rutgers University, and other public health and vector control partners to target mosquito control and education activities. Oversees the state’s tick surveillance program for ticks of public health concern in NJ to investigate and measure tick presence and abundance and estimate pathogen presence and prevalence. Participates in field activities and collaborate with Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) staff on the development and use of expanded tickborne disease pathogen testing in ticks. Identifies and researches metrics and develops research tools to monitor tickborne disease in humans, measure tick abundance and pathogen prevalence in ticks, and applies data and findings from tick surveillance to the impact on human-tick encounters and tickborne diseases.
QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in a discipline appropriate to the position. Three (3) years of full-time experience in a field appropriate to the position. Appointees will be required to possess a valid driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.
HOW TO APPLY: Apply online below. Posting expires Dec 31, 2024.
Academic Opportunities
POSITION: Open Rank Tenure-Track Faculty in Vector Biology, Florida International University
DESCRIPTION: The Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University (https://biology.fiu.edu) invites qualified candidates for an Open Rank (Assistant, Associate, or Full) Professor position in vector biology. Scientists working in the areas of arthropod molecular genetics, biochemistry, population genetics/genomics, neurobiology, or physiology are especially encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to have a solid publication record; to maintain an active, externally funded research program; to supervise graduate students in our Ph.D. program; and to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their specific area of expertise as well as courses such as biochemistry, genetics, or cell biology. Successful candidates could also become affiliated with one or more research institutes such as the Biomolecular Sciences Institute (https://bsi.fiu.edu/) and/or the Institute of Environment (https://environment.fiu.edu/).
QUALIFICATIONS: The minimum requirements are a doctoral degree in a related field from an accredited institution and evidence of active research. Applicants with postdoctoral experience are preferred. The successful candidate is expected to build an internationally prominent research program by securing external funding, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, recruiting and mentoring graduate students, and contributing to undergraduate and graduate teaching.
HOW TO APPLY: Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID 534013 at careers.fiu.edu and attach a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a research statement, as well as a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy. Candidates will be requested to provide names and contact information for at least 3 references who will be contacted as determined by the search committee. To receive full consideration, applications and required materials should be received by January 5, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please direct any questions to Dr. Janna Fierst at jfierst@fiu.edu.
POSITION: Assistant Professor in Acarology, Texas A&M
DESCRIPTION: The Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Entomology in Acarology. This is a nine-month, full-time, tenure-track appointment specialization in Acarology, located on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, TX. This position has duties in Research, Teaching, and Service with approximately a 60%, 30%, and 10% distribution of effort, respectively.
QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Entomology or related field and the degree must be completed prior to the date of the faculty appointment. Desired qualifications include a strong record of scholarly achievement including peer-reviewed journal publications, demonstrated success in securing grants or a strong potential to secure extramural funding. Additional desired qualifications include training and experience in tick biology and management, pathogen transmission, and disease prevention and experience in both field biology and molecular techniques. Candidates should have experience teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level and experience in mentoring students. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and have excellent written and oral communication skills.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications will only be accepted through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/156016. Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter of interest, (2) Curriculum Vitae, (3) a personal statement to include philosophy and plans for research, teaching, and service (up to six pages total), and (4) contact information for three professional references (to be contacted at a later stage). Please provide a complete mailing address, email and phone number, and a brief statement of how each referee knows the candidate. Packages should be submitted by November 20, 2024. Review of applications will begin after this date and continue until the position is filled. For questions regarding this position, email inquiries to the attention of Dr. Anjel Helms, Search Committee Chair, Department of Entomology via Teresa Gold (teresa.gold@ag.tamu.edu).
POSITION: Two laboratory positions available, University of California Irvine Health
DESCRIPTION: The James laboratory is involved with working on novel methods for controlling the transmission of vector-borne diseases, specifically malaria and dengue fever. The lab uses genetics as the basis for synthetic approaches to prevent transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Contributions include the development of mosquito transgenesis procedures, engineered genes that interfere with malaria parasite development in mosquitoes, a population-suppression strain based on flightless female mosquitoes and gene-drive systems to spread beneficial genes quickly through mosquito populations.
HOW TO APPLY: See details of each open position below:
Lab Assistant 3 Staff Research Associate
POSITION: Tenure Earning Professor Global, Environment and Genomics Health Sciences, University of South Florida
DESCRIPTION: The College of Public Health at the University of South Florida (USF), a metropolitan, research-intensive institution recently invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, is seeking a senior-level researcher and educator in the area of global infectious diseases, molecular parasitology, medical entomology, disease ecology and/or vector biology. We seek an individual with a doctoral degree and established record of competitive funding to include a current funded research program that will support graduate and post-doctoral training.
HOW TO APPLY: Candidates must complete an online application and upload the documents listed below to be considered for this position. Please visit www.usf.edu and access “Work at USF” and then click on Access Careers@USF and search for Job Opening ID 38169. Documents to be uploaded with the application include a letter of application addressing the advertised minimum and preferred qualifications for the position to which applying, a CV, and a list of three references. Review of application will not begin until all required documents are uploaded into Careers. References will not be contacted without notifying applicants in advance.
Internship, Fellowships, & Postdoctoral Positions
POSITION: Postdoctoral Position in Mosquito Molecular Biology and Arbovirology, University of Missouri
DESCRIPTION: A postdoctoral position is immediately available for a candidate to work on molecular mosquito-arbovirus interactions in the laboratory of Dr. Alexander Franz, Dept. of Veterinary Pathobiology at the University of Missouri (vpbio.missouri.edu). The position is for a collaborative, NIH-funded research project to 1) further develop and optimize a group of highly innovative antiviral effector molecules; 2) generate transgenic mosquitoes harboring these novel effectors; 3) test the transgenic mosquitoes for their level of resistance to a range of arboviruses including Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses.
QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with at least one of the following: molecular research on arthropods, molecular biological laboratory techniques, mosquito genetics/transgenesis, and/or the study of mosquito-arbovirus interactions. The candidate should hold a Ph.D. in microbiology, vector biology, entomology, or virology and should be highly motivated with a keen interest to develop and pursue innovative approaches to address this exciting research topic.
HOW TO APPLY/DEADLINE: To apply, please send via email a CV, a cover letter indicating research interests and career goals, and names and email addresses of three references to Dr. Alexander Franz (franza@missouri.edu). Candidates should have authorization to work in the U.S.A. For full consideration, submit applications by November 15th, 2024 (applications are accepted until position is filled). Salary range follows the NIH guidelines, and postdoctoral fellows are University benefits eligible. For further enquiries, please contact: Dr. Alexander Franz, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, 303 Connaway Hall, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, 65211, Phone: 573-884-2635, Email: franza@missouri.edu.
POSITION: CDC Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Entomological Surveillance
DESCRIPTION: A research opportunity is available in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The participant will be involved in projects to learn about the development and improvement of molecular tools that inform decisions regarding vector mosquito control and surveillance. They will be trained in laboratory workflow development, specimen processing and management, next-generation sequencing, PCR assay development, and data analysis with a variety of tools (command line using CDC’s cluster computing resources, programs such as Geneious and CLC Genomics, and the online bioinformatics platform Galaxy). The fellow will have the opportunity to develop their own related side project if desired.
QUALIFICATIONS: The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
HOW TO APPLY/DEADLINE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Professional Development & Training Opportunities
eCornell Online Program in the Biology of Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Disease-Causing Arthropods
The Cornell Department of Entomology has partnered with eCornell to provide a 4-week online training program on the biology of arthropods — both insects and related forms — that impact human health. You will explore the fascinating biology, behaviors, and disease-transmission processes of a range of organisms, with special emphasis on the most important groups, including ticks and mosquitoes. You will also learn about specific diseases associated with these vectors that can be passed on to humans. The course is appropriate for those working in healthcare and vector-borne disease control, those who train and supervise outdoor workers, and will also be useful for students of vector biology who may not have access to other courses on this topic. $399 total cost. Enrollment discounts may be available. This course has been approved for 28 contact hours of continuing education with the National Environmental Health Association.
Visit the course page for information on the next course cohort.
eCornell Online Program in Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance
The Cornell Department of Entomology has partnered with eCornell to provide a 4-week online training program to help you understand the tools, methodology, and best practices for the surveillance of arthropod vectors, including ticks and mosquitoes. You will gain the knowledge and resources necessary to design an effective vector surveillance program in your local jurisdiction. The course is intended to train and create a network of public health practitioners, from a variety of backgrounds, in entomology and in the approaches, techniques, and skills required for effective surveillance programs. $399 total cost. Enrollment discounts may be available. This course has been approved for 28 contact hours of continuing education with the National Environmental Health Association.
Visit the course page for information on the next course cohort.
American Mosquito Control Association e-Modules
The e-modules cover basic mosquito biology, surveillance and control with an emphasis on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
American Mosquito Control Association Integrated Mosquito Management
To help train the nation’s vector control work force on the principles of Integrated Mosquito Management and how to execute data-driven mosquito control, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the AMCA to create a virtual training program. This program consists of 13 modules created and instructed by 24 different experts located throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Australia. Each module contains a reading from the AMCA’s Best Practices for Integrated Mosquito Management manual, a focused video on the topic between 13-33 minutes long, and a 10-question quiz covering both the reading and lecture. After completing the training program, a student may choose to take a 100-question, comprehensive exam to earn a certificate recognizing their accomplishment.
Certification in Public Health Entomology
The Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (MCE-VBD) is offering a certificate in Public Health Entomology to recognize and provide basic skills related to the surveillance and management of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases. The certification process is open to anyone affiliated with MCE-VBD partner organizations with interest in developing skills in vector-borne disease surveillance and control.
CDC Learning Tools for Health Care Providers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide web-based continuing medical educational (CME) resources for health care providers on Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as other tickborne diseases.
Lyme Disease CME Tickborne Disease Videos Rocky Mountain spotted fever Toolkit Diagnosis and Treatment of Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis Viral Tickborne Disease Training Diagnosis & Management of WNV
Entomological Society of America Certification Programs
The Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation offers two certification programs for professionals who work with insects:
- Board Certified Entomologist - program for professional entomologists with degrees in entomology or a closely-related field
- Associate Certified Entomologist - program for pest management professionals with strong training and experience in insect-related work, but without academic training required of professional entomologists
- Public Health Entomologist (PHE) Certificate - program for pest management professionals who work with pests that pose a health risk
Entomological Society of America Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) Initiative
Graduate Students and Postdocs in Entomology: Are you looking for tools and training to make yourself stand out as you look for the next step in your career? ESA’s new Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) Initiative will help you develop the leadership capacity and “soft skills” sought after in today’s highly collaborative work environments—both within and beyond academia.
EPA Integrated Pest Management Webinars
The EPA Center for Integrated Pest Management hosts a yearly webinar series featuring experts from across the country relaying educational and practical strategies for establishing and improving integrated pest management programs in your facilities and environments.
Upcoming Webinars Previous Webinars
Global Vector Hub: Directory of Medical Entomology Courses
TDR has supported the development of a Global Atlas of Medical Entomology Schooling (GAMES), which lists a total of 126 medical entomology courses offered both on-campus and through distance learning in 32 countries across all WHO regions, covering seven languages. For each course, session dates, course outline, fees, language of instruction and responsible managers are listed.
Follow the link below to gain access to the directory. Please register on Global Vector Hub.
Mosquito Training Course for Pest Managers
The Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, along with partners in the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is pleased to announce a new online course in mosquito training for pest managers. Participants who complete the 11 modules in the course will learn to identify and understand the mosquitoes of major importance in the urban environment, their life cycles, the general methods of control, personal protective equipment required for safe insecticide application, and the laws and regulations governing mosquito control for the urban pest management industry.
NACCHO’s Practical Guide to Building Local Mosquito Control Capacity
The National Association of County and City Health Officials and its vector control workgroup members identified the need for a focused, practical guide to help local health departments build new local mosquito control programs or enhance existing capabilities in the core competencies.
NEHA Vectors & Pests Webinars
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) produces open-access webinars to improve the capacity of environmental health to identify and understand emerging vectors found in the United States. The NEHA Vector & Pests Webinars page provides up-to-date information on vector control topics and resources used to protect the public of the transmission of vector-borne diseases.
Online Tick Training Course
The Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases has developed an online tick training course, now available! This course is an introduction to ticks, tick-borne diseases, and tick control for employees in the urban pest management industry, public health entomologists, and anyone interested in learning more about ticks. This self-paced course is eligibile for 2 FDACS CEUs.
Pesticide Safety Education Program, Distance Learning Center
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program (CCE-PSEP), is a federally-mandated program that has been a nationally-recognized leader in pesticide safety education for over 40 years. Their mission is to promote the safe use of pesticides to help reduce risks to applicators, consumers, and the environment. PSEP provides pesticide certification and training throughout New York state and serves as an unbiased source of pesticide information for applicators, researchers and the general public.These courses often carry continuing education credits accepted by New York, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and West Virginia. Available courses include toxicity of pesticides, insect biocontrol, integrated tick management, introduction to developing IPM strategies, and more.
Vector Control for Environmental Health Professionals (VCEHP)
A no-cost 11-course learning series developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and partners. Program emphasized the use of integrated pest management (IPM) to address public health pests and vectors that spread disease.
Additional Career Websites
American Mosquito Control Association
American Public Health Association
American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
Entomological Society of America
Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California
National Association of County and City Health Officials
New Jersey Mosquito Control Association
Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases
Society for Vector Ecology
Texas A&M University Entomology Job Board